How to Set Up Shop on a Digital Ecommerce Platform

Friday, December 4th, 2020

If you want to set up shop online, a digital eCommerce platform is one way to go. These platforms allow you to accomplish multiple tasks including inventory management, payment acceptance and transaction processing for a lower fee than you’d pay in a marketplace. But of course, they don’t guarantee access to a ready audience like marketplaces do.

Types of eCommerce platforms

There are three types of eCommerce platforms including;

• Saas: Software-as-a-service eCommerce services allow you to rent a space in a platform where the vendor does all the maintenance and upgrades. 
• Licensed platforms: You purchase an online selling software program and get upgrades as well as technical assistance for a specific period. If the license expires, you must renew to keep selling items online.
• Open-source: These services give merchants more freedom to customize their eCommerce shop, but that calls for the technical know-how and plenty of time and money.

How Much Does The Service Cost?

Setting up shop on a digital eCommerce arena like Shopify can be as affordable as $29.99/month, for a basic plan, or as expensive as $299/month for the premium package. You can also choose its standard package for $79/month.

Other common digital eCommerce platforms like BigCommerce, 3dcart, Squarespace, Volusion, and Wix have per-month plans ranging from $14/month to around $300/month.

The Pros of an eCommerce Platform

Merchants love these platforms for five major reasons. 

1. Easy online business setup and management
2. They feature in-built security to safeguard business and customer data, 
3. You enjoy better customer engagement
4. These platforms allow seamless integration with other vital business apps 
5. And lastly, they let you scale as your business grows.

But not all eCommerce platforms are equal. Your final pick must have what it takes to push your business to the next level. 

What are some of the qualities to search for?

SEO features: This capability matters because search engine optimization is the key to a better Google ranking.

Mobile-compatible: Because mobile-device shopping is getting popular by the day, you want a platform that supports an excellent user experience across all devices.

Security: Protecting customer data is priority number one. Also, look for other top-level security standards like encryption and two-factor authentication.

Payment options. Customers want an array of payment options from the long-established credit and debit cards to new and quick payment avenues like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Product arrangement and order processing: The platform must also simplify product organization and order processing.

Ability to Support Growth: Will the platform allow you to expand as your business grows? Will it support a greater number of products, or more payment options when your audience grows and needs diversify?

Integration to vital Business apps. And lastly, it must integrate with crucial apps like Customer Relationship Management tools.